1. Tell us a little about your background and why you chose to run for a seat on the Brookfield City Council. How long have you lived in Brookfield? If you weren’t born and raised here, what prompted you to come to Brookfield?

My name is Martha Beach and I am running for Brookfield City Council. I was appointed to the Council in September of 2012 after the death of Councilman Don Riepe. I am running for the Council to help make a difference in our community. Brookfield has always been a part of my life as my mother was from here, but I moved to Brookfield in 1982. I have been a teacher for 29 years and taught 24 of those years in the Brookfield R-3 School District.

2. Please select an issue or challenge you believe the City of Brookfield needs to resolve. Why do you think this issue should take priority? Do you have a suggestion as to how to go about meeting this challenge? If so, what would your suggestion be?

The City Council has been working very hard to improve the city water supply and sewer issues. This has been a major concern and the Council is moving forward to solving this issue which affects the basic needs of all citizens. I also have a commitment to the Downtown Revitalization Project which is a part of the Dream Initiative. I am currently serving on this committee as a Council representative. The first phase of the project is to renovate Twin Parks, and we are getting close to finalizing this plan. This improvement will make the park more functional and improve the aesthetics of the park. It will also show we are committed to making Brookfield a better place to live.

3. What are your suggestions for promoting economic development in Brookfield? Would you be willing to work with the Brookfield Area Growth Partnership (BAGP) in achieving the initiatives that organization has given priority to? Occasionally, suggestions for economic development come from outside the ranks of the BAGP membership. How would you respond to those suggestions?

I feel the Brookfield Area Growth Partnership is very necessary for the economic growth of Brookfield. The BAGP has been involved in several levels of national, regional and state committees. This is getting recognition and important contacts for our community. To help economic growth, we need to look at both the city and county levels for any opportunities to attract new business to our area. All groups of interest have to work together to see a change in this issue.

4. Name one thing you believe the City of Brookfield could do to make Brookfield a better place to live and work.

One issue of concern to make Brookfield a better place to live is to improve our parks. It is important to have parks that meet the needs of the citizens. Parks should enhance the city and provide a resource for good health to our citizens. Also a concern is our sidewalks. Citizens of all ages cannot safely walk from one end of town to the other. Our city is disconnected due to lack of sidewalks or bike trails. I hope the City can work with the State and other groups to promote safety as well as good health in providing walkways or bike trails and improving our parks.

Page 2 of 2 - 5. What, in your opinion, is the value of our public spaces, and what can the Brookfield community do to increase their value? How can you assist?

The value of our public places should be important to all citizens. As you enter our city from all directions, you can find buildings/homes that need to be restored or torn down. Our city needs to find ways to help improve the property or incentives to tear down dilapidated or unsightly buildings/homes, which take away from the beauty of our community. The more inviting the city is the greater the value of the public places. Those considering investing in our community would more likely consider putting money into a community that has pride in its property and public places. By serving a short time on the council, I know it is not an easy task; legally or financially. It takes everyone working together to clean up the community from simple to more complex tasks, such as picking up trash in yards and parks, to removing unwanted buildings. These efforts can help make a difference.